Prof's book flying off shelves

Historian Carl Chinn is competing well with the likes of TV chefs and comedians in the sales charts at a Wolverhampton bookshop.

The Express & Star columnist's latest compilation of his articles on the history of the Black Country flying off the shelves at the city's branch of Waterstones.

Professor Chinn was at the newspaper's head office in Queen Street yesterday to sign copies of The Best of the Black Country 4.

He said: "Working class people were excluded from their history for so long because they were so busy working. These articles have given them a chance to rediscover their past and I love meeting people to talk about it."

Pat Wood, 78, from Tettenhall, said: "I always listen when I see Carl on television. He is so enthusiastic for the Black Country."

Gavin Perry, bookseller at Waterstone's in Victoria Street, said: "Carl Chinn's book is doing very well. We've sold about half as many of his as we have of Russell Brand's autobiography, which for a regional author is very impressive especially as Carl's book has only been out a month."

The Best of the Black Country 4 costs £12.95.